Drug Interactions with Lovastatin

[pgrimm]

These drugs increase the effect of Lovastatin, making it more dangerous in producing side effects:

Amitriptyline, Carvedilol, Celecoxib, Dapsone, Diclofenac, Dronabinol, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Glimepiride, Gliizide, Glyburide, Hexobarbital, Ibuprofen, Imipramine, Indomethacin, Irbessartan, Losartan, Mefenamic Acid, Meloxicam, Mirtazapine, Naproxen, Nateglinide, Phenacetin, Piroxicam, Ritonavir, Rosiglitazone, Sildenafil, Sulfamethoxazole, Tamoxifen, Tolbutamide, Torsemide, Warfarin, Zafirlukast, Zileuton

Source:
*http://www.edhayes.com/CYP450-4.html

[cjbrooksjc]

Yes, I've seen lists like this before, and it's startling that so many medications could have lit the fuse to our bomb or at least made it more deadly. The one (for me) that always sticks out is Naproxen, as in Naproxen Sodium, or ALEVE, an OTC pain reliever any of us might have taken to ease the pain of sore muscles or joints. It's all a bit overwhelming; I'm beyond being angry.

[pgrimm]

I talked with Bill's VA neurologist today. I shamelessly gave it to him both barrels. I told him that he was the fourth in a chain of VA doctors who prescrbed drugs on the list contraindicated to use with lovastatin. He was shocked, guilty, and seemed genuinely sorry. He said there was no excuse, but offerred that he was just focused on the brain and the past results of his stroke, and never gave his drugs a thought. I told him I was totally disgusted that four doctors and a pharmacist could miss this drug interaction, while I, a stupid lay person could get on the internet and diagnose him. Especially since the knowledge of lovastatin's effect on muscles is widely known! He never argued at all with me, nor did the ER doctor. Both accepted my diagnosis immediately. He said he would talk to the director of neurology and see what he could get done for Bill. I'm not going to hold my breath. I told him that we wanted the VA to arrange for testing and treatment with the UCSD people, Dr. Golomb or Dr. Phillips. Actually, an appointment with a local specialist would probably satisfy us at this point, but NOT a VA doctor! The VA patients advocate said we'd have to get such a referral from Dr. Wu at our local clinic. I told them Bill would never see that idiot again! He was the worst! I told the neurologist that I hoped that he would always think of looking into a patient's drugs first before jumping to farfetched conclusions, reminding him that his theory was that Bill's loss of sleep due to the headaches was causing his body aches. He was obviously embarrassed by my remembering that. I'm sure our saga will be "To be continued", so I'll be back to report more about our battle with the illustrious VA!

And for the record, Bill's pain is increasingly severe, his mood more depressed. He's in bed most of the time now. At least he is taking to heart the supplements I've provided based on all the suggestions of the wonderful people on this forum. He has stopped taking his blood pressure medication even, checking it daily, and it's very low, probably due to the coenzyme Q10. Yay!

[SusieO]

Pgrimm read my thread under Lipitor - I won't let Lipitor take my life. It sounds like Bill may benefit from Quantum Touch - if you can locate someone in your area that is qualified. It is not painful - and it has brought me "back to life" without pain several times now and each time I get stronger not weaker!